Unemployment Assistance counts as a Public charge?

[immquestion]

Hi I am a US citizen and have to apply for my spouse AOS.

I was working but I lost my Job. Does getting the Unemployment Assistance counts as a Public charge.

Thanks

[daniel046]

If you are a U.S Citizen you do not have to worry about public charge. As long as beneficiary was not part of benefits that you received.
now unemployment may not be counted as public charge but I am not sure.
however, what I am trying to say is US citizen getting public benefits does not count as public charge for their spouse or children as long as they were not part of benefits.

[ember]

Unemployment *shouldn't* count as it is an earned benefit (you pay for it with taxes) but who knows what some USCIS officer will think...

Anyway, as stated above, USCs don't have the public charge issue.

[Poramin]

Means Tested. That's what USCIS is screening for.

Unemployment insurance (which I have also received) does NOT count as a 'means tested' benefit. 'Means tested' refers to being below income thresholds, for example SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or section 8 housing assistance.

Unemployment assistance/insurance is a program your employer paid into which benefits you when you lose your job.